To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

Athens County gazette. (Athens, Ohio), 1905-02-16

Athens County gazette. (Athens, Ohio), 1905-02-16 page 1

- - ""'0 Moiipa, Attees . County O&zette, VOL. XVII T I ' ATnEKSOIlIO, yilTJBSDAY, FEimiXARY ly 1905. ' NO 7 SWINDLER CAPTURED Working His Check Game on an Indiana College. NOW IN ATHENS COINTY JAIL Tried to Cat the Check he Was Attempting to Cet Endorsed. Cot $50 Here. The would-be student who came to the University February 2, and victimized Secretary Dunkle by securing his endorsement of a fifty dollar check on a Richmond Va. bank, since proved to be worthless, was caujjht by Dr. Kane president of Wabf Hh college of Crawfordsvllle, IndianaUst Friday. The fellow regjstered at Ohio University as James A. Dean. He said he was a graduate of the University of Tennessee and desired to prepare more thoroughly for teaching. . A course was thus mapped out for him and after having talked with President Ellis and Dean Williams he registered and presented a fifty dollar check to Prof. Dunkle, Secretary in payment of his fee. 4'rof Dunkle endorsed the check. Later in the day the fellow having failed to appear at President Ellis's office at an appointed time Pres. Ellis, who had already become suspicious of the fellow started about the buildings to see what had become of the j new stud?nt. After a talk with Prof. Dunkle the latter started out to make some inquiry in the matter and at about six o'clock notified Sheriff Murphy who took up the case,. The Sheriff had all the trains leaving town .watched and telegraphed to Chilli-cothe and other points to be on the lookout, The man had had plenty of time to get away and Sheriff Murphy after having done all that possibly could be done to apprehend him suggested to the college authorities that the best way to locate the man was to write the college presidents in Ohio and adjoining states giving them the necessary Information. This was done and in less than a week the man was caught. President Ellis sent out more than one hundred and sixty letters which he had prepared, thoroughly covering the territory in which the fellow was operating. On Saturday February 11, a well-dressed stranger about 30 years of age matriculated at Wabash College as Wm. II. Arnold son of a Lima Ohio) preacher. lie wished, to specialize in Greek, he said, preparatory to a seminary course. After they had mapped out a satisfactory couise of study Dr. Kane gave the new student credentials and a statement of his term dues. These he presented to the college secretary together with a $50 check on the Citizens' National Bank of Toledo, Ohio, drawn by James II. Arnold. He expected to get back in change the larger part of it, but the seeretary refused to accept it, whereupon he returned to Dr. Kane to get his indorsement. It was here that President Kane recognized in his new pupil the counterpart of the swindler described in the recent letter sent out by President Ellis as James A. Dean who had been working a successful swindle upon the colleges throughout the country. Dr. Kane, without the least sign of his suspecting the new student, agreed to accompany him to'the bank. Before reaching the bank however, President Kane had decided it seems, that the police station would be the most advantageous place of "cashing", .bnsequeutly he headed Arnold in. Arnold upon seeing that he was trapped immediately tried to eat the check but was prevented from so doing by Dr. Kane who seized him and took the check from him. In his pockets were found calling cards with the name "J. Hughes" and in an envelope marked "To be opened only in case of death", were found instructions to notify "Mrs. W. J. Hughes, St. Clair Hotel, Detroit, Michigan, my only living relative." The police authorities then wired the bank at Toledo concerning the check which also proved to be worthless. The prisoner was put in a place of safe keeping and word was sent to the Athens authorities to come and get the would-be student. CONTINUED ON TAGS 4 CHAND JL'RY REPORTS Over'Twa Hundred v Witnesses' ' Examined. Business has been quiet at the tern- pie of justice during the past week, i Tuesday morning the petit jury was dismissed until Thursday of next week, i On February 9th the divorce case of Mary Connor vs John Connor was heard. Same was granted for gross neglect. Plantiff was given custody, of minor children. i The petition for divorce, for Nellie i Inman vs H. L. Inman was dismissed. Susan Jones was given a divorce from her husband, John Jones.. Columbian Bldg & Loan Co. vs George Swindle et al foreclosure, was given judgment for $299.77 on default. Property will likely be sold. Clinton E. Patton vs Nellie Patton for divorce, heard and same granted on grounds of gross neglect, Florence Sweeney given divorce from her husband for gross neglect. Isaac Gossett vs F. N. Pllcher, for money, dissmissed at costs of plaintiff. The National Supply Co. vs Hugh Gormley for money. Judgment on default for $180.73. ; Charles Moore vs Martin Sherman, damages, casesettled. , Mary A. Sullivan vs John C. Hewitt, i case settled. The grand jury reported their de-i liberations to the court on last Thursday morning. Over 200 witnesses were examined covering 15 casei, eight of these being ignored. The indictments ' are as follows: Ohio vs Louisa Ellen Davis, fornication. Prisoner was arrained Monday, plea not guilty. Ohio vs Fred Price, fornication, plea of not guilty. These parties secured a license on same day they were arraigned and were married. Ohio vs Hartley Kepler, larceny, prisoner arraigned, plea guilty, sentenced to 30 days in jail and pay costs of prosecution. Ohio vs John Richards for robbery and assault and battery, in each case his plea was not guilty. Ohio vs Wm. Munsey, climbing on railroad cars, plea guilty, fined $10 and costs. Ohio vs Harry Scott, climbing on cars, plea of guilty, sentenced $10 and costs. Athens Township 0. T. R. C. The following teachers were present at the meeting held Saturday February 4th: Joanna Goodrich, May S. Conner, Margaret Davis, C M. Ma-theny, Dr. E. W. Chubb, F. S. Coul-trap, Verna Miller, Lizzie Druggan, Delpha Webster, Jennie Williams, Margaret DJlts, Nell Pickering, Mat-tie Hatch, Esthur Treudley, Lucy Cranmer, Helen M. Townsend, Clara Weihr, Frank Simms, Myrtle Bidders, John Stage, Mary Biddle, Winnie Hig-gins, Caroline Hixon, H. A. Hatch, Elizabeth Cochran, Ella Osborne, Lora Wylie, Jessie McBride, C. H. Duma-ree, Zella Foster, Maty M. Williams. Dr. Chubb had charge of the meeting and gave a very interesting and profitable address. Prof. Wilson will be with us again at the meeting Saturday Feb. 18, at one o'clock. No one who has heard Prof. Wilson will be willing to miss this meeting. A most cordial invitation is extended to all the township teachers and to arty and all others who may find it convenient to attend. Chap. 7 Hlgginson and Boyuton. Fire Alarm Sounded. On Saturday morning between 5 and 6 o'clock, the alarm of fire was given by W. E. Landis, who occupies the east end of the house of Miss Morse on West Washington street. The kitchen fire had been lighted and the blaze from the gas stove caught the wall paper on the partition between the kitchen and dining room. The flames had leaped to the upper loft before it was discovered by Mr. and Mrs. Landis Eli Roush was first at the scene and gave timely assistance until others arrived when he Tushed off to sound the fire alarm. The arrival of the fire men soon extinguished the flames. The damage to the house was slight. The west end, which is occupied by Miss Morser wasuninjured. Death of Mr. Liggett. John Vincent Liggett died last Friday at his home near Clark's Chapel at the advanced age of 81 years. Four daughters and one son survive him. He was a member of the Methodist church for many years. His funeral service was held last Monday, conducted by Dr. Slutz, interment In the cemetery at Clark's Chapel. THE TR01BLE-SK00TER An Important Man In the Telephone Business. Stories by the hundreds stories more wonderful than the deeds chron- j lcled by writers of fiction, tales of dar-1 ing unequaled in the romances of An- j thony Hope or Harold MacGrath could be told ot the telephone "trou-1 ble shooter." Every exchange of the Central Union Telephone Company has a force of "trouple men", from one man to a dozen depending upon tha size of the exchange, and these are responsible i for. the continuous good order of the i thousands of lines and instrumenes. , j The life of the "troubte shooter" ! offers a variety of experiences lacking j in ordinary occupations, and it poss- esses a fascination to some men which j keeps them at the work as long as they are physically capable. Even E the uncertainity of what he is to meet when he reaches the seat of trouble adds interest to the"trouble-man's" work. Aroused from sleep in the mid-i die of the night, perhaps with a snow ; storm raging outside, he dresses with the speed of a fireman, seizes his kit and plunges into the darkness. . Supported by a strap over his shoulder the trouble-man has on Tils back a set of telephone instruments which enables him to talk to the office when he reaches the break in the wires. He carries a coil of rope, another of wire and a pair of "come-alongs", thei expressive -name of appliances with which he forces the ends of a broken wire to come together. The "come-alongs" consist of two small vices joined with rope and tadkle. The shooter carries a supply of insulators, short pieces of of wire, hatchet, plyers, clamps, and small copper tubes for holding wires while they are being spliced. Most of those are fastened to a broad leather belt. To rings in the belt the trouble shooter fastens a strap long enough to reach around the largest pole, so that when he reaches the top his hands may be . free. To this collection of glass and hardware are added the spurs which the trouble shooter straps to his feet to enable him to climb poles. With his whole outfit he carries a weight almost equal to that of a soldier in heavy marching order. All the troubles which the"shooter" goes out to locate are not caused by the elements. There are still many sections in the West where the frolicsome "cow puncher", riding gaily into town, , diverts the monotony of his trip by shooting at glass insulators on the telephone lines. The antics of small boys are also sources of constant trouble to the shooter as a tin can, cleverly lodged among the wires, will usually serve to put several lines "out of business." The "trouble shooter" iscalled upon to make repairs indoors as well as out. Lightning arresters placed where the lines enter buildings are frequently burned out and rats gnaw telephone wires as well as nearly everything else. But often the troubles are due to queer performances of the telephone users themselves. It once took trouble shooters in the local office some time to locate trouble in a residence telephone. It was finally discovered that the woman of the house had stuck a hair-pin into the lightning arrester, that she might not lose the pin. In another case a fond mother explained that Jimmy had pulled off one of the strings and the telephone wouldn't talk; Without the "trouble shooter" the telephone service would be frequently interrupted. With his assistance the Central Union Telephone Company wages ceaseless warfare against the destructive elements. Often a telephone is discovered to be out of order and the repairs completed without the knowledge of the subscriber. It is constant attention to the lines that makes good telephone service possible, and the trouble shooter of the Central Union Telepiione Company is awake night and day ready to attend to the slightest difficulty. Death Roll. The 4-month-old child of Mr. and i Mrs. Frank Dowler, living on Stroud's i Run, died last Monday and was burled j in the new cemetery here on Wednesday, Rev. Hopkins, officiating. Mrs. Johanna Kenna, 71 years of age, died on February 11th at Middle-port, ner remains were brought here Monday for burial in the Catholic cemetery. Rev. Father Banahan conducted the services. The remains of Mrs. Ella Vanness Bolin were brought to Athens last Sunday and taken to Jerseyvllle for burial on Monday. She died in Cincinnati, aged 46 years. The remains were accompanied by the deceased's two sisters. RAT A TIRE-E10 I Many Fires Caused by Rats Igniting Matches. Rats cause many fires and the majority of them go to swell, that always embarrassing figure to the fire marshal, the footing of the fires reported "origin unknown." During last year Ohio rats were convicted as incendiaries in twenty-six cases and suspected in several hundred. Rats and matches are known to have caused 136 fires in i Massachusetts during last year with a i loss of $133,577, as reported1 by the fire i marshal of that State. The upper and lower pairs of teeth with which the rat gnaws, have a facing of enamel which will cut ivory. The back part of these teeth is soft so that it wears away leaving a chisel-like edge. Rats are fond of phosphorous because It is sweet and stimulating. Aside from this the phosphorous in the match-head is mixed with ground glass to cause heating by friction when it is rubbed, and as the rat's teeth grow from the bottom continuously the match is his dentist to keep them ground down so that they will come together exactly. HOMES DESTROYED. A recent fire was extinguished in its incipiency, and in a paste-board box were found several burned rats and some charred matches. The method of mice with matches is shown by the following incident: A grocer opened a box in which was a nest containing two infantile mice, perhaps as many days old. The nest was made from match sticks which had been gnawed into the finest excelsior, but the match heads were carefully stored under the edge of the nest in a corner of the box. If the nest-building mouse had bitten the head of a match or split the stick through it, the fluffy nest would have been instantly aflame. The rat carries his luncheon to his hothouse home and there nibbles the delicacy in the most inflammable surroundings possible. Because of the appetite of the ro-crf phosphorous and ground glass both' of these substances have been used in widely advertised rat poisons to make them seductive and they are doubtless chargeable with many mysterious fires. No sane person would for a moment think of leaving a mixture containing so inflammable a substance as phosphorous, knowing it to be such, in rat holes and in out of the way corners amongst combustible re-fuse. f, " : ELIGIBLE BUILDING. SITES. Both rats and mice love warmth. On this account the space between joists under a stove, a corner near the grate, a nook in the partition or ceiling near the point at which a stove pipe passes, or an offset in the chimney, are looked upon as particularly eligible building sites. Their nests are made up from soft, fiberous odds and .ends which become soiled by various greasy substances gathered by rats and mice while on predatory excursions, and too, they often contain the matches which are the rat's dearest confection. The probability of spontaneous combustion occurring in such a nest when the stove or its pipe become overheated, or of sparks igniting the nest from a i crack in a settling chimney, or a rust-! hole in a pipe, is difficult to estimate. I In factories, and in houses as well, ! rats ha ve a habit of gathering oily rags ! and matches near heating pipes and frequently eat the insulating coat from electric wires. To the rat, fine parchment is a delicacy, and he sometimes takes his physical culture in gnawing the lead pipe from the gas meter. OAS METER EXPLOSIONS. ' A gas meter has no greater possibilities of explosion than a domestic flat-iron. Perhaps its reputation for habitual mendacity in the interest of the gas company has led to the impression that it is capable of exploding itself for the purpose of destroying the gas consumer's property. The small quantity of gas in a meter, cannot possibly get the oxygen necessary to burn or explode it. If a fire burning i around it melts the solder from its i seams the escaping, gas will burn i placidly like a gas jet. A meter is often found broken among the debris i after a fire because the shelf uponj which it sat was burned from under i it, and the solder by which it was at- j tached mefted. . Sewer gas explosions, so called, result from the Ignition of illuminating gas from a leaking gas main or from the turning Into the sewer of petroleum of some of its products. The offal in sewers generates no inflammable gases. Hy. D. Davis, State Fire Marshal. c::io kowkents On Vicksburg Battlefield to be Dedicated on May 22. The Ohio Vicksburg Battlefield Commission has decided that Monday, May 22, 1905 would be the most desirable date on which to dedicate the Ohio monuments on Vicksburg Park. It is not necessary to give any of the boys who served through the campaign and siege the reason for selecting Monday, May 22. But for the benefit of those not familiar with the assaults and siege of Vicksburg, f fy to them that May 22, 1905, Viil be the 42d anniversary of the great assault against the Confederate lines, in which Grant's army lost in killed and I wounded between the hours of 10 a. m. and 3 p. m. 3,199 officers and men. A rate of one fare for the round trip i will be granted from all points in Ohio to Cincinnati, on condition that a ticket so purchased at your cuponi ticket office in Ohio shall include the entire trip to Vicksburg and return,: i To ascertain the price of your ticket i from your home ticket office to Vlcks-1 burg and return, add one fare for your j round trip to Cincinnati to the price of ticket from Cincinnati to Vicks- burg. Thus, $15.65 plus half fare from your home to Cincinnati, or $19.05 jfrom Columbus. Ws wish as many of the boys to join us at Columbus as ' possible. Tickets will only be honored going, over the B. & O. and B. & O. Southwestern to Louisville, and the Illinois Central from Louisville to Vicksburg. Returning will only be honored over the Queen and Crescent route by way of Jackson, Meridian, Chattanooga to Cincinnati. Special arrangements will be made at Vicksburg for board and lodging. Good restaurants are in the city and prices are reasonable. Hotel accommodations can be had at prices satisfactory, and comrades who prefer to eat only when hungry, rooms can be had In private families at very reasonable rates and dine as you please. A Joint Campflre is being arranged for Monday evening, May 22, in the pity of Vicksburg. Prominent speakers will be present to address the campfire. It is expected that the governor and heads of departmen ts and other prominent officials of the state will accompany the excursion. It is hoped that President Roosevelt and Secretary of WarTaft will honor us with their presence on the day of dedication.If your local ticket agent cannot furnish through ticket have him write his nearest .cupon ticket agent to arrange a ticket for you. Special train will leave Columbus, Ohio, at 2:35 p. m. on B. & O. S. W. Leaves Cincinnati, Ohio, at 6 o'clock, p. m., on May 19th, 1905. For further information concerning the dedication at Vicksburg call on or address W. P. Gault, Secretary, Columbus, Ohio. By order of the Ohio Vicksburg Battlefild Commission. J. B. Allen, president. Taken to Hospital Mrs. John D. Sullivan, who lives near Luhrig, was taken to St. Francis Hospital, at Columbus last Monday for treatment. She has been in failing health for several weeks. She will probably undergo an operation in a few days. It is believed she has an abcess on the liver. Mr. Sullivan feels greatly indebted to the miners local union for the financial assistance given him in trying to find relief for the suffering of his companion. Splendid Revival. . An exceedingly interesting meeting closed on Sunday evening at the Plains Church, resulting in a general awakening and 15 accessions. The pastor is encouraged by the results at Clark's Chapel, Factory and the Plains, for each has had a splendid revival. Rev. Baker goes to Chauncey this week and then to Sugar Creek. Marietta's Oldest Church Burns. The First Congregational church at Marietta the oldest church edifice in the Northwest Territory, almost a hundred years old, was destroyed by fire Tuesday morning. The blaze was discovered about 2 o'clock in the morning. The loss Is estimated at $35,000 to $40,000 with $27,000 insurance. . 'Hill-Brown. At the home of the bride on Mill street Rev. L. M. Baker united in marriage last Saturday evening Mr. J. B. Hill and Mrs. Augusta Brown. The contracting parties are well known in Athens and vicinity. COMMISSIONER HILL'S HOUSE Was Totally Destroyed by Fire Early Wednesday Morning. ' NOTHING IN THE HOUSE SAVED Family Barely Escaped With Their Lives. Big Loss. Only Partly Covered by Insurance. Commissioner S. B. Hill's house burned to the ground Wednesday morning. The house was near Clark's Chapel. The fire was discovered about 2 o'clock. Mr. Hill was aroused by smoke coming into 4iis bed room. When he became thoroughly awakened he ran into the kitchen to find that the blaze was penetrating the ceiling. ne called to his wife and rushed up stairs where his seven children were sleeping and nearly suffocated by the smoke. They hustled from their bed rooms barely escaping with their lives. They had no time to put on their clothing. To add to the distressing condition a snow storm was blowing and the wind was piercingly cold. The children, ranging in age from three years to twenty, had to make their way as best they could to the home of Mr. Weiss, the nearest neighbor. Scarcely any tiling was saved in the house. The family could do nothing save watch the flames devour the home which was a substantial building. The origin of the fire is difficult to tell. It started in the kitchen and spread very rapidly. It is almost miracle that all the members of the family escaped uninjured by the fire. The barn was not injured. It stands just across the road from the house. The wind was in the opposite direction and fortunately the roof of the barn was covered with snow. This saved tit. Mr. Hill, has $2200 insurance,' which, however, covers the home, its contents, the barn and its contents. Upon the home alone the insurance would amount o $400 probably. He estimates his loss, not covered yb insurance to be about $1000. Death of Mr. Laughlin. Charles Laughlin departed this life at his home in this city last Thursday. He was in his 50th. year. He had been ill with typhoid fever for several weeks and complications set in and he had not the strength to resist the power of disease. During his illness a competent nurse was provided by the Improved Order of Red Men to which lodge the deceased belonged and under whose auspices the funeral was held Sunday afternoon. Dr. Sluta conducted the services at the Methodist church. Mr. Laughlin leaves to mourn their loss a wife and seven children, also his mother and one sister of the immediate family. He was an industrious citizen, for years employed at the brick plant. The friends of the family deeply sympathize with them in their sadbereav-ment. Married at Columbus Mr. J. F. Cassidy and Miss Margaret McBride surprised their many Athens friends by getting married. The ceremony was performed in the parlors of the Chittenden notel, Columbus, last Saturday morning. Dr. Rexford a Universalist minister, officiated. From Columbus the young couple went to West Baden Springs, Indiana, and from there they go to Denver, Colorado, to make their home. Mr. and Mrs. Cassidy were clerks in Preston's stores. The former's home is in Baltimore and the latter's is at Logan. Their many friends here join in wishing them a happy wedded life. Completely Surprised. Miss Ida Bowles, who is one of the employees of the Gazette, was given a complete surprise on the anniversary .of her birthday by about 20 of her friends on Tuesday evening, February 14th. The friends had collected at her home on Richland avenue before she returned from work and everything was in readiness to yell surprise when she entered the house. After, the usual happy chatter the guests indulged in pleasant amusements and before departing refreshments were served, j

- - ""'0 Moiipa, Attees . County O&zette, VOL. XVII T I ' ATnEKSOIlIO, yilTJBSDAY, FEimiXARY ly 1905. ' NO 7 SWINDLER CAPTURED Working His Check Game on an Indiana College. NOW IN ATHENS COINTY JAIL Tried to Cat the Check he Was Attempting to Cet Endorsed. Cot $50 Here. The would-be student who came to the University February 2, and victimized Secretary Dunkle by securing his endorsement of a fifty dollar check on a Richmond Va. bank, since proved to be worthless, was caujjht by Dr. Kane president of Wabf Hh college of Crawfordsvllle, IndianaUst Friday. The fellow regjstered at Ohio University as James A. Dean. He said he was a graduate of the University of Tennessee and desired to prepare more thoroughly for teaching. . A course was thus mapped out for him and after having talked with President Ellis and Dean Williams he registered and presented a fifty dollar check to Prof. Dunkle, Secretary in payment of his fee. 4'rof Dunkle endorsed the check. Later in the day the fellow having failed to appear at President Ellis's office at an appointed time Pres. Ellis, who had already become suspicious of the fellow started about the buildings to see what had become of the j new stud?nt. After a talk with Prof. Dunkle the latter started out to make some inquiry in the matter and at about six o'clock notified Sheriff Murphy who took up the case,. The Sheriff had all the trains leaving town .watched and telegraphed to Chilli-cothe and other points to be on the lookout, The man had had plenty of time to get away and Sheriff Murphy after having done all that possibly could be done to apprehend him suggested to the college authorities that the best way to locate the man was to write the college presidents in Ohio and adjoining states giving them the necessary Information. This was done and in less than a week the man was caught. President Ellis sent out more than one hundred and sixty letters which he had prepared, thoroughly covering the territory in which the fellow was operating. On Saturday February 11, a well-dressed stranger about 30 years of age matriculated at Wabash College as Wm. II. Arnold son of a Lima Ohio) preacher. lie wished, to specialize in Greek, he said, preparatory to a seminary course. After they had mapped out a satisfactory couise of study Dr. Kane gave the new student credentials and a statement of his term dues. These he presented to the college secretary together with a $50 check on the Citizens' National Bank of Toledo, Ohio, drawn by James II. Arnold. He expected to get back in change the larger part of it, but the seeretary refused to accept it, whereupon he returned to Dr. Kane to get his indorsement. It was here that President Kane recognized in his new pupil the counterpart of the swindler described in the recent letter sent out by President Ellis as James A. Dean who had been working a successful swindle upon the colleges throughout the country. Dr. Kane, without the least sign of his suspecting the new student, agreed to accompany him to'the bank. Before reaching the bank however, President Kane had decided it seems, that the police station would be the most advantageous place of "cashing", .bnsequeutly he headed Arnold in. Arnold upon seeing that he was trapped immediately tried to eat the check but was prevented from so doing by Dr. Kane who seized him and took the check from him. In his pockets were found calling cards with the name "J. Hughes" and in an envelope marked "To be opened only in case of death", were found instructions to notify "Mrs. W. J. Hughes, St. Clair Hotel, Detroit, Michigan, my only living relative." The police authorities then wired the bank at Toledo concerning the check which also proved to be worthless. The prisoner was put in a place of safe keeping and word was sent to the Athens authorities to come and get the would-be student. CONTINUED ON TAGS 4 CHAND JL'RY REPORTS Over'Twa Hundred v Witnesses' ' Examined. Business has been quiet at the tern- pie of justice during the past week, i Tuesday morning the petit jury was dismissed until Thursday of next week, i On February 9th the divorce case of Mary Connor vs John Connor was heard. Same was granted for gross neglect. Plantiff was given custody, of minor children. i The petition for divorce, for Nellie i Inman vs H. L. Inman was dismissed. Susan Jones was given a divorce from her husband, John Jones.. Columbian Bldg & Loan Co. vs George Swindle et al foreclosure, was given judgment for $299.77 on default. Property will likely be sold. Clinton E. Patton vs Nellie Patton for divorce, heard and same granted on grounds of gross neglect, Florence Sweeney given divorce from her husband for gross neglect. Isaac Gossett vs F. N. Pllcher, for money, dissmissed at costs of plaintiff. The National Supply Co. vs Hugh Gormley for money. Judgment on default for $180.73. ; Charles Moore vs Martin Sherman, damages, casesettled. , Mary A. Sullivan vs John C. Hewitt, i case settled. The grand jury reported their de-i liberations to the court on last Thursday morning. Over 200 witnesses were examined covering 15 casei, eight of these being ignored. The indictments ' are as follows: Ohio vs Louisa Ellen Davis, fornication. Prisoner was arrained Monday, plea not guilty. Ohio vs Fred Price, fornication, plea of not guilty. These parties secured a license on same day they were arraigned and were married. Ohio vs Hartley Kepler, larceny, prisoner arraigned, plea guilty, sentenced to 30 days in jail and pay costs of prosecution. Ohio vs John Richards for robbery and assault and battery, in each case his plea was not guilty. Ohio vs Wm. Munsey, climbing on railroad cars, plea guilty, fined $10 and costs. Ohio vs Harry Scott, climbing on cars, plea of guilty, sentenced $10 and costs. Athens Township 0. T. R. C. The following teachers were present at the meeting held Saturday February 4th: Joanna Goodrich, May S. Conner, Margaret Davis, C M. Ma-theny, Dr. E. W. Chubb, F. S. Coul-trap, Verna Miller, Lizzie Druggan, Delpha Webster, Jennie Williams, Margaret DJlts, Nell Pickering, Mat-tie Hatch, Esthur Treudley, Lucy Cranmer, Helen M. Townsend, Clara Weihr, Frank Simms, Myrtle Bidders, John Stage, Mary Biddle, Winnie Hig-gins, Caroline Hixon, H. A. Hatch, Elizabeth Cochran, Ella Osborne, Lora Wylie, Jessie McBride, C. H. Duma-ree, Zella Foster, Maty M. Williams. Dr. Chubb had charge of the meeting and gave a very interesting and profitable address. Prof. Wilson will be with us again at the meeting Saturday Feb. 18, at one o'clock. No one who has heard Prof. Wilson will be willing to miss this meeting. A most cordial invitation is extended to all the township teachers and to arty and all others who may find it convenient to attend. Chap. 7 Hlgginson and Boyuton. Fire Alarm Sounded. On Saturday morning between 5 and 6 o'clock, the alarm of fire was given by W. E. Landis, who occupies the east end of the house of Miss Morse on West Washington street. The kitchen fire had been lighted and the blaze from the gas stove caught the wall paper on the partition between the kitchen and dining room. The flames had leaped to the upper loft before it was discovered by Mr. and Mrs. Landis Eli Roush was first at the scene and gave timely assistance until others arrived when he Tushed off to sound the fire alarm. The arrival of the fire men soon extinguished the flames. The damage to the house was slight. The west end, which is occupied by Miss Morser wasuninjured. Death of Mr. Liggett. John Vincent Liggett died last Friday at his home near Clark's Chapel at the advanced age of 81 years. Four daughters and one son survive him. He was a member of the Methodist church for many years. His funeral service was held last Monday, conducted by Dr. Slutz, interment In the cemetery at Clark's Chapel. THE TR01BLE-SK00TER An Important Man In the Telephone Business. Stories by the hundreds stories more wonderful than the deeds chron- j lcled by writers of fiction, tales of dar-1 ing unequaled in the romances of An- j thony Hope or Harold MacGrath could be told ot the telephone "trou-1 ble shooter." Every exchange of the Central Union Telephone Company has a force of "trouple men", from one man to a dozen depending upon tha size of the exchange, and these are responsible i for. the continuous good order of the i thousands of lines and instrumenes. , j The life of the "troubte shooter" ! offers a variety of experiences lacking j in ordinary occupations, and it poss- esses a fascination to some men which j keeps them at the work as long as they are physically capable. Even E the uncertainity of what he is to meet when he reaches the seat of trouble adds interest to the"trouble-man's" work. Aroused from sleep in the mid-i die of the night, perhaps with a snow ; storm raging outside, he dresses with the speed of a fireman, seizes his kit and plunges into the darkness. . Supported by a strap over his shoulder the trouble-man has on Tils back a set of telephone instruments which enables him to talk to the office when he reaches the break in the wires. He carries a coil of rope, another of wire and a pair of "come-alongs", thei expressive -name of appliances with which he forces the ends of a broken wire to come together. The "come-alongs" consist of two small vices joined with rope and tadkle. The shooter carries a supply of insulators, short pieces of of wire, hatchet, plyers, clamps, and small copper tubes for holding wires while they are being spliced. Most of those are fastened to a broad leather belt. To rings in the belt the trouble shooter fastens a strap long enough to reach around the largest pole, so that when he reaches the top his hands may be . free. To this collection of glass and hardware are added the spurs which the trouble shooter straps to his feet to enable him to climb poles. With his whole outfit he carries a weight almost equal to that of a soldier in heavy marching order. All the troubles which the"shooter" goes out to locate are not caused by the elements. There are still many sections in the West where the frolicsome "cow puncher", riding gaily into town, , diverts the monotony of his trip by shooting at glass insulators on the telephone lines. The antics of small boys are also sources of constant trouble to the shooter as a tin can, cleverly lodged among the wires, will usually serve to put several lines "out of business." The "trouble shooter" iscalled upon to make repairs indoors as well as out. Lightning arresters placed where the lines enter buildings are frequently burned out and rats gnaw telephone wires as well as nearly everything else. But often the troubles are due to queer performances of the telephone users themselves. It once took trouble shooters in the local office some time to locate trouble in a residence telephone. It was finally discovered that the woman of the house had stuck a hair-pin into the lightning arrester, that she might not lose the pin. In another case a fond mother explained that Jimmy had pulled off one of the strings and the telephone wouldn't talk; Without the "trouble shooter" the telephone service would be frequently interrupted. With his assistance the Central Union Telephone Company wages ceaseless warfare against the destructive elements. Often a telephone is discovered to be out of order and the repairs completed without the knowledge of the subscriber. It is constant attention to the lines that makes good telephone service possible, and the trouble shooter of the Central Union Telepiione Company is awake night and day ready to attend to the slightest difficulty. Death Roll. The 4-month-old child of Mr. and i Mrs. Frank Dowler, living on Stroud's i Run, died last Monday and was burled j in the new cemetery here on Wednesday, Rev. Hopkins, officiating. Mrs. Johanna Kenna, 71 years of age, died on February 11th at Middle-port, ner remains were brought here Monday for burial in the Catholic cemetery. Rev. Father Banahan conducted the services. The remains of Mrs. Ella Vanness Bolin were brought to Athens last Sunday and taken to Jerseyvllle for burial on Monday. She died in Cincinnati, aged 46 years. The remains were accompanied by the deceased's two sisters. RAT A TIRE-E10 I Many Fires Caused by Rats Igniting Matches. Rats cause many fires and the majority of them go to swell, that always embarrassing figure to the fire marshal, the footing of the fires reported "origin unknown." During last year Ohio rats were convicted as incendiaries in twenty-six cases and suspected in several hundred. Rats and matches are known to have caused 136 fires in i Massachusetts during last year with a i loss of $133,577, as reported1 by the fire i marshal of that State. The upper and lower pairs of teeth with which the rat gnaws, have a facing of enamel which will cut ivory. The back part of these teeth is soft so that it wears away leaving a chisel-like edge. Rats are fond of phosphorous because It is sweet and stimulating. Aside from this the phosphorous in the match-head is mixed with ground glass to cause heating by friction when it is rubbed, and as the rat's teeth grow from the bottom continuously the match is his dentist to keep them ground down so that they will come together exactly. HOMES DESTROYED. A recent fire was extinguished in its incipiency, and in a paste-board box were found several burned rats and some charred matches. The method of mice with matches is shown by the following incident: A grocer opened a box in which was a nest containing two infantile mice, perhaps as many days old. The nest was made from match sticks which had been gnawed into the finest excelsior, but the match heads were carefully stored under the edge of the nest in a corner of the box. If the nest-building mouse had bitten the head of a match or split the stick through it, the fluffy nest would have been instantly aflame. The rat carries his luncheon to his hothouse home and there nibbles the delicacy in the most inflammable surroundings possible. Because of the appetite of the ro-crf phosphorous and ground glass both' of these substances have been used in widely advertised rat poisons to make them seductive and they are doubtless chargeable with many mysterious fires. No sane person would for a moment think of leaving a mixture containing so inflammable a substance as phosphorous, knowing it to be such, in rat holes and in out of the way corners amongst combustible re-fuse. f, " : ELIGIBLE BUILDING. SITES. Both rats and mice love warmth. On this account the space between joists under a stove, a corner near the grate, a nook in the partition or ceiling near the point at which a stove pipe passes, or an offset in the chimney, are looked upon as particularly eligible building sites. Their nests are made up from soft, fiberous odds and .ends which become soiled by various greasy substances gathered by rats and mice while on predatory excursions, and too, they often contain the matches which are the rat's dearest confection. The probability of spontaneous combustion occurring in such a nest when the stove or its pipe become overheated, or of sparks igniting the nest from a i crack in a settling chimney, or a rust-! hole in a pipe, is difficult to estimate. I In factories, and in houses as well, ! rats ha ve a habit of gathering oily rags ! and matches near heating pipes and frequently eat the insulating coat from electric wires. To the rat, fine parchment is a delicacy, and he sometimes takes his physical culture in gnawing the lead pipe from the gas meter. OAS METER EXPLOSIONS. ' A gas meter has no greater possibilities of explosion than a domestic flat-iron. Perhaps its reputation for habitual mendacity in the interest of the gas company has led to the impression that it is capable of exploding itself for the purpose of destroying the gas consumer's property. The small quantity of gas in a meter, cannot possibly get the oxygen necessary to burn or explode it. If a fire burning i around it melts the solder from its i seams the escaping, gas will burn i placidly like a gas jet. A meter is often found broken among the debris i after a fire because the shelf uponj which it sat was burned from under i it, and the solder by which it was at- j tached mefted. . Sewer gas explosions, so called, result from the Ignition of illuminating gas from a leaking gas main or from the turning Into the sewer of petroleum of some of its products. The offal in sewers generates no inflammable gases. Hy. D. Davis, State Fire Marshal. c::io kowkents On Vicksburg Battlefield to be Dedicated on May 22. The Ohio Vicksburg Battlefield Commission has decided that Monday, May 22, 1905 would be the most desirable date on which to dedicate the Ohio monuments on Vicksburg Park. It is not necessary to give any of the boys who served through the campaign and siege the reason for selecting Monday, May 22. But for the benefit of those not familiar with the assaults and siege of Vicksburg, f fy to them that May 22, 1905, Viil be the 42d anniversary of the great assault against the Confederate lines, in which Grant's army lost in killed and I wounded between the hours of 10 a. m. and 3 p. m. 3,199 officers and men. A rate of one fare for the round trip i will be granted from all points in Ohio to Cincinnati, on condition that a ticket so purchased at your cuponi ticket office in Ohio shall include the entire trip to Vicksburg and return,: i To ascertain the price of your ticket i from your home ticket office to Vlcks-1 burg and return, add one fare for your j round trip to Cincinnati to the price of ticket from Cincinnati to Vicks- burg. Thus, $15.65 plus half fare from your home to Cincinnati, or $19.05 jfrom Columbus. Ws wish as many of the boys to join us at Columbus as ' possible. Tickets will only be honored going, over the B. & O. and B. & O. Southwestern to Louisville, and the Illinois Central from Louisville to Vicksburg. Returning will only be honored over the Queen and Crescent route by way of Jackson, Meridian, Chattanooga to Cincinnati. Special arrangements will be made at Vicksburg for board and lodging. Good restaurants are in the city and prices are reasonable. Hotel accommodations can be had at prices satisfactory, and comrades who prefer to eat only when hungry, rooms can be had In private families at very reasonable rates and dine as you please. A Joint Campflre is being arranged for Monday evening, May 22, in the pity of Vicksburg. Prominent speakers will be present to address the campfire. It is expected that the governor and heads of departmen ts and other prominent officials of the state will accompany the excursion. It is hoped that President Roosevelt and Secretary of WarTaft will honor us with their presence on the day of dedication.If your local ticket agent cannot furnish through ticket have him write his nearest .cupon ticket agent to arrange a ticket for you. Special train will leave Columbus, Ohio, at 2:35 p. m. on B. & O. S. W. Leaves Cincinnati, Ohio, at 6 o'clock, p. m., on May 19th, 1905. For further information concerning the dedication at Vicksburg call on or address W. P. Gault, Secretary, Columbus, Ohio. By order of the Ohio Vicksburg Battlefild Commission. J. B. Allen, president. Taken to Hospital Mrs. John D. Sullivan, who lives near Luhrig, was taken to St. Francis Hospital, at Columbus last Monday for treatment. She has been in failing health for several weeks. She will probably undergo an operation in a few days. It is believed she has an abcess on the liver. Mr. Sullivan feels greatly indebted to the miners local union for the financial assistance given him in trying to find relief for the suffering of his companion. Splendid Revival. . An exceedingly interesting meeting closed on Sunday evening at the Plains Church, resulting in a general awakening and 15 accessions. The pastor is encouraged by the results at Clark's Chapel, Factory and the Plains, for each has had a splendid revival. Rev. Baker goes to Chauncey this week and then to Sugar Creek. Marietta's Oldest Church Burns. The First Congregational church at Marietta the oldest church edifice in the Northwest Territory, almost a hundred years old, was destroyed by fire Tuesday morning. The blaze was discovered about 2 o'clock in the morning. The loss Is estimated at $35,000 to $40,000 with $27,000 insurance. . 'Hill-Brown. At the home of the bride on Mill street Rev. L. M. Baker united in marriage last Saturday evening Mr. J. B. Hill and Mrs. Augusta Brown. The contracting parties are well known in Athens and vicinity. COMMISSIONER HILL'S HOUSE Was Totally Destroyed by Fire Early Wednesday Morning. ' NOTHING IN THE HOUSE SAVED Family Barely Escaped With Their Lives. Big Loss. Only Partly Covered by Insurance. Commissioner S. B. Hill's house burned to the ground Wednesday morning. The house was near Clark's Chapel. The fire was discovered about 2 o'clock. Mr. Hill was aroused by smoke coming into 4iis bed room. When he became thoroughly awakened he ran into the kitchen to find that the blaze was penetrating the ceiling. ne called to his wife and rushed up stairs where his seven children were sleeping and nearly suffocated by the smoke. They hustled from their bed rooms barely escaping with their lives. They had no time to put on their clothing. To add to the distressing condition a snow storm was blowing and the wind was piercingly cold. The children, ranging in age from three years to twenty, had to make their way as best they could to the home of Mr. Weiss, the nearest neighbor. Scarcely any tiling was saved in the house. The family could do nothing save watch the flames devour the home which was a substantial building. The origin of the fire is difficult to tell. It started in the kitchen and spread very rapidly. It is almost miracle that all the members of the family escaped uninjured by the fire. The barn was not injured. It stands just across the road from the house. The wind was in the opposite direction and fortunately the roof of the barn was covered with snow. This saved tit. Mr. Hill, has $2200 insurance,' which, however, covers the home, its contents, the barn and its contents. Upon the home alone the insurance would amount o $400 probably. He estimates his loss, not covered yb insurance to be about $1000. Death of Mr. Laughlin. Charles Laughlin departed this life at his home in this city last Thursday. He was in his 50th. year. He had been ill with typhoid fever for several weeks and complications set in and he had not the strength to resist the power of disease. During his illness a competent nurse was provided by the Improved Order of Red Men to which lodge the deceased belonged and under whose auspices the funeral was held Sunday afternoon. Dr. Sluta conducted the services at the Methodist church. Mr. Laughlin leaves to mourn their loss a wife and seven children, also his mother and one sister of the immediate family. He was an industrious citizen, for years employed at the brick plant. The friends of the family deeply sympathize with them in their sadbereav-ment. Married at Columbus Mr. J. F. Cassidy and Miss Margaret McBride surprised their many Athens friends by getting married. The ceremony was performed in the parlors of the Chittenden notel, Columbus, last Saturday morning. Dr. Rexford a Universalist minister, officiated. From Columbus the young couple went to West Baden Springs, Indiana, and from there they go to Denver, Colorado, to make their home. Mr. and Mrs. Cassidy were clerks in Preston's stores. The former's home is in Baltimore and the latter's is at Logan. Their many friends here join in wishing them a happy wedded life. Completely Surprised. Miss Ida Bowles, who is one of the employees of the Gazette, was given a complete surprise on the anniversary .of her birthday by about 20 of her friends on Tuesday evening, February 14th. The friends had collected at her home on Richland avenue before she returned from work and everything was in readiness to yell surprise when she entered the house. After, the usual happy chatter the guests indulged in pleasant amusements and before departing refreshments were served, j